[Expression of microRNA-155 in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression with clinicopathological features of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and explore the value of miR-155 in prognostic assessment of PTC. METHODS: We collected 86 pairs of fresh PTC and adjacent tissues to examine the expression of miR-155 using fluorescent quantitative PCR. miR-155 expressions in the tissues were analyzed in relation to the clinicopathological features of the patients. RESULTS: Compared with the paired adjacent tissues, 69.8% (60/86) of the PTC tissues showed up-regulated miR-155 expression by 2.63∓2.73 folds. Up-regulated miR-155 expressions were associated with a larger tumor size (1.66∓0.96 vs 1.19∓0.52 cm, P=0.021), a higher likeliness of extrathyroid invasion (56.7% vs 23.1%, P=0.004), a higher rate of lymph node metastasis (70% vs 46.2%, P=0.036), a more advanced TNM stage, and a higher rate of III-IV stage of the tumor (20% vs 0%, P=0.014). The expression level of miR-155 in PTC tissues was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (r=0.531, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: PTC patients with miR-155 over-expression tend to have a greater tumor size, a greater likeliness of extrathyroid involvement, a higher rate of cervical lymph node metastasis and a more advanced TNM stage. The high expression of miR-155 in the tumor may indicate a poor prognosis of PTC patients.

[Anatomic study and application of TRAM flap with partial preservation of abdominal rectus muscle in the breast reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap with partial preservation of abdominal rectus muscle based on the anatomic study in cadavers. METHODS: 5 adult female cadavers which provided by department of anatomy of Fujian Medical University were dissected after injection with medical red latex from the starting point of the inferior epigastric artery and superior epigastric artery. The TRAM flap with partial preservation of lateral abdominal rectus muscle were dissected for breast reconstruction. The location, route, branches and anastomosis of inferior and superior epigastric arteries were observed. Based on the anatomic study, breast reconstruction were performed in 8 cases with muscle-sparing TRAM flaps. RESULTS: The inferior epigastric artery arises from external iliac artery (9/10, 90%) or femoral artery (1/10, 10%) at the joint point between the internal third and lateral two third. There are extensive anastomoses between superior and inferior epigastric arteries above the umbilicus, mostly between the 2cm below the first tendinous intersection and umbilical level. From Sept. 2009 to Sept. 2010, 8 cases received breast reconstruction with muscle-sparing TRAM flap. The patients were followed up for 3 months to one year. Fibrosis happened in subcutaneous fat at flap IV zone in 2 cases, borderline necrosis and subcutaneous fat liquefaction occurred in some areas of flap IV zone in 2 cases, which healed after debridement. The other 4 cases healed with no complication. Except for unsatisfied shape in one case, good result achieved in 7 cases. There was no abdominal weakness, hemia or other complication. CONCLUSIONS: It is an effective and safe method in breast reconstruction with muscle-sparing TRAM flap. It is practical with comparatively short operation time and less morbidity in donor site.

[Clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach. METHODS: Clinical data of 13 hepatoid adenocarcinomas of the stomach, collected from 201 cases of gastric cancer, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 201 gastric carcinomas, there were 13 AFP-producing adenocarcinomas of the stomach, the positive rate was 6.5%. Morphologically, the tumor cells formed glandular, medullary and linear structures. Of the 13 hepatoid adenocarcinomas of the stomach, 10 cases were in gastric antrum and 10 cases were poorly differentiated. The metastasis rates of liver and lymph node in hepatoid adenocarcinoma of stomach were higher than those in non-hepatoid adenocarcinoma of stomach. The treatment of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of stomach depended mainly on radical resection, and adjuvant chemotherapy was needed.The prognosis of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of stomach was poor. CONCLUSION: Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach has its own special tumor biological behavior and poor prognosis. Special attention should be paid to this disease.